Drivers queue for petrol in the UK over shortage concerns

Britain on Friday urged the public not to panic-buy fuel, as some petrol stations closed pumps due to a lack of tanker delivery drivers, adding to the government's growing list of woes and stoking consumer fears of worse to come before Christmas.
The Road Haulage Association, a sector body, said driver shortages caused by the pandemic and Brexit had created a "perfect storm", as calls mounted on ministers to take swift action.
"We're running on empty," The Sun tabloid warned on its front page, after weeks of increasing supply chain issues have left some supermarket shelves bare.
For older Britons, it evoked the dark days of the 1970s, when energy supply problems led to a three-day working week and fuel rationing, amid repeated strikes and high inflation.
It was also reminiscent of late 2000, when people protesting over high fuel prices blockaded oil refineries, bringing the country to a virtual standstill for weeks.
However, Transport Secretary Grant Shapps insisted there was no fuel shortage, and promised the government would get more lorry drivers to deliver stock.
"The advice would be to carry on as normal," Shapps told Sky News after a number of UK petrol stations run by BP and ExxonMobil-owned Esso were forced to close.
Shell said it had seen "increased demand" and was adapting its delivery schedules, as queues built up on petrol station forecourts and some types of fuel ran out.
At Hildenborough in southeast England, a BP petrol station was closed entirely and its pumps wrapped in plastic.
"Sorry we're out of fuel. We are working hard to fix this," signs read.
At least 50 of BP's 1,200 service stations were out of at least one type of fuel, The Times reported, while BP told AFP a "handful of sites" had temporarily closed.